The Hunger Games helmer Gary Ross shocked fans -- and his actors -- when he opted not to return for the franchise sequel, Catching Fire. The decision was said to be due to a rushed production schedule, the result of star Jennifer Lawrence's commitment to another high-profile sequel, Fox's X-Men: First Class.

But the actor remains optimistic, adding: "I think that there's still so many people a part of it that want the film to be great and care about it so much that they're not going to bring the wrong person on."

Co-star Josh Hutcherson broke his silence last month, telling THR that he was "excited" to meet with Lawrence for the first time and that he expected production to be "a fun ride."